Empress Dowager's invitation

In the Palace, at Sunrise Courtyard, residence of Consort Wang Xin.

"Greetings to Mother." Third Prince Xia Rong bowed to Consort Wang.

"Come here and taste this tea. Your Uncle has specially sent it to me." Consort Wang said to him.

Xia Rong took a seat next to her, picking up the cup and taking a sip.

"How is it? Have my tea making skills deteriorated?" She questioned him.

"The tea Uncle sent is excellent as ever and your tea making skills are also in good shape." Third Prince replied putting the cup down.

"Really? Your First Sister doesn't think so. She didn't taste the tea I poured last night." Consort Wang brought up.

"You visited Xia Jingxi." He questioned.

"I did. Everytime I see her, I get this uncomfortable feeling I can't explain." Consort Wang said putting her cup down.

"Why did you meet her? I told you not to do anything reckless." Xia Rong asked.

"Yuluo wanted to visit the temple so I asked her if she could take Luo with her."

"And what else?" he probed.

"Empress Dowager is there. I don't want her to be swayed by Xia Jingxi's words. I sent a few people to keep an eye on the situation."

"Empress Dowager is already on our side, there's no other Prince she can support."

"We have to keep it that way. She is the only person whose words your father can't deny. But I'm afraid Emperor values Xia Jingxi way too much." Consort Wang said.

"There's nothing Xia Jingxi could do to threaten us, she's just a young Princess. We just have to be patient. Don't do anything without telling me." Xia Rong said getting up.

"Don't underestimate her Rong. I feel like there's more to her than we know." She voiced.

"I'll keep it in mind." He said and took his leave.

...

At the North Mountain temple..

In the Praying Hall,

Xia Jingxi, Yue Jun and Xia Yuluo were kneeling down after offering incense.

"It's been an hour, I can't keep kneeling here. Help me out." Xia Yuluo whispered to her maid and pretended to fall down.

"Your Highness, are you alright?" Her maid Lu Min exclaimed supporting her.

"I'm fine, just a bit tired." She said stabilizing herself as she looked at the other two in the front.

Yue Jun looked back at her, "Third Princess can take a rest, it was a tiring journey for you toady."

"I'm fine." She replied as she continued to kneel.

"The prayer hall will be here and you are also here for two days. You can kneel tomorrow, it's not good to neglect your health your highness." Yue Jun said to them.

The maid Li Jun immediately chimed in, "Second Master Yue is right. You have always been weak, it's important to take care of your health first, so we don't cause trouble for First Princess."

Third Princess looked at her and nodded getting up, "I'll take my leave then leaving you two to it." She bowed and left the hall.

Yue Jun smirked seeing them leave and turned around.

"What a show!" Ji Ran shook her head and turned her attention back to Princesss Jingxi who was kneeling in the front with her eyes closed.

At night outside the prayer hall,

"Go and take some rest, I'm going back to the room." Yue Jun said to Princess Jingxi and left with the temple attendant.

As She left the prayer hall with Ji Ran, she saw two servants that came with Third Princess waiting there.

"What are you doing here?" Ji Ran asked them.

"Third Princess was concerned that your highness brought very few people with her so she asked us to follow First Princess in case she needs anything." One of them kneeled down and stated.

At that moment, an old maid reached them bowing down, "Greetings to First Princess. Empress Dowager heard that you have come to the temple so she asked me to invite you for dinner."

Princess Jingxi stepped closer and helped her up, "Nanny Mu is a senior by Grandmother's side. No need to be so formal with me."

Nanny Mu smiled at her, "Rules should be followed no matter. How can I not greet you?"

"You are as strict about rules as I could remember."

Nanny Mu laughed and said, "And I remember that First Princess has never liked these rules."

"Forget it, tell me how is Grandmother's health these days." She said walking out with Nanny Mu.

Ji Ran followed behind her silently as did the two servants left by Third Princess.

...

Princess Jingxi entered the courtyard, Empress Dowager lived in and greeted her.

"Come here, sit by my side." Empress Dowager called out to her patting the space next to her.

"Grandmother.." Xia Jingxi called out sitting next to her.

Empress Dowger held her hand and patted it, "Xiao Xi, how have you been?"

"What could happen to me, I'm good. I heard that Grandmother's health isn't good these days so I have brought some tonics for you with me this time."

"Good, good. You are filial as ever." She said laughing.

Empress Dowager looked at her again, only her sharp eyes visible as the veil was covering her face.

"Are you still playing around in the army camp?" She asked getting a bit serious.

Princess Jingxi did not answer as she looking down at the aged hands of the old lady holding hers.

Empress Dowager sighed and left her hand,

"You are turning 17 this year. There are all kinds of talks about you in the capital regarding your looks and manners. And now you keep playing within army camp surrounded by men all day. You are a Princess... don't you have any care for your reputation?"

"I don't care about all this. And I'm not playing around within army. You don't have to worry about that." Princess Jingxi told her.

"Jingxi, don't take me wrong. Grandmother is concerned about you. Now you have reached the age of getting married. It's not good to be wielding swords all day." Empress Dowager said coughing violently.

"I know Grandmother's concern and I know what I am doing." She said patting her back.

...----------------...

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***